Although the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP) does not
guarantee shell eggs to be free of SE contamination, the program does
assure consumers of the commitment producers and processors are making
to prevent SE contamination.

Basic preventive measures include placement of SE clean chicks,
intensive rodent control, cleaning and disinfecting between flocks, and
environmental monitoring of pullet and layer houses with continuous
testing of eggs from any SE positive houses. Eggs from SE positive
houses are diverted for pasteurization. Eggs must be kept refrigerated.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture provides third party
monitoring of the program as well as technical, administrative, and
financial support. The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides
technical advice regarding public health implications. PEQAP
participants are assuring the public that they are taking every
reasonable precaution to assure the safety of their eggs.